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RUTH 1:19-21
So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
HEBREWS 12:15
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
REFERENCES: EXODUS 15:22-25; PSALM 34:18, 147:3; MALACHI 4:5-6; JOHN 14:6-7, 18
Just change my name and call me Bitter. The troubles of the past have left me brokenhearted and I’m in total heartache for what seems to be just out of reach. That was the sentiment Naomi shared as she entered her hometown. On some level, while you probably didn’t have to travel from a foreign land, maybe you can relate. But, the world has lied to us that being bitter is OK if you have a reason or have been wronged. In this journey called life we get hurt or offended and often don’t deal with it, allowing bitterness to overtake us. God wants to heal us from our heartaches and heartbreaks that lead to becoming bitter. Your heavenly Father longs to have a relationship with you and heal you from all your heartaches and wounds. Even if you’re heartbroken, God can restore all the pieces. Don’t live a life in bitterness when you have a Father in heaven who is longing to give you joy and a future.
God can heal your broken heart but you have to give Him all the pieces
Heartache is felt when we long for something but never receive it. This can develop as early as childhood and we end up spending our adult life trying to fill that void. It isn’t uncommon for our view of God to act as a projection or rejection of our earthly fathers. But as we develop our relationship with Christ, his love heals our wounds through acceptance and grace. He leads us to the Father who declares that we are worthy.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” —John 14:6-7
Whenever we lose an important relationship, we experience heartbreak. Whether we admit it or not, our brains and our bodies will register the loss as deeply painful. Thankfully, God has promised to be near us in our heartbreak so that He can heal the pain. Just as a broken bone needs time in a cast, your heart needs time to heal. Our part is to trust the work that God is doing.
Whether you are going through heartache or heartbreak, God is there with you. He wants to heal and restore the broken pieces of your heart. Maybe you’ve become bitter in the process, but when you add what Jesus did on the cross to the equation, that bitter season can turn into a sweet one. After you allow Him to heal your heart, you’ll want a relationship without needing one. You’ll see not just the mistakes of others, but you’ll acknowledge your own and learn from them. You’ll talk about that past situation with emotional control. And you’ll finally feel free to celebrate the happiness of others and look forward to the future God has for your life.
Take some time in the next week to reflect on any bitterness that may be in your life. Ask God to show you who, or what about yourself, you need to forgive.
If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness
Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a holy moment to encounter Jesus, be filled with His presence, and reset your heart around what matters most. Over three days of powerful worship, teaching, and community, you’ll be equipped to lead with clarity and live with boldness.
From curated workshops to next-level add-ons, VOUSCon is designed to meet you where you are and where you lead—whether that’s in your church, your workplace, or the middle of a major life decision. Every session is crafted to grow your faith and strengthen your voice.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
When: Thursday, June 19th - Saturday, June 21st
Where: Watsco Center
1245 Dauer Dr
Coral Gables, FL 33146
VOUSCon is here! On Wednesday before kicking off VOUSCon 2025 in strength and unity we are going to pray.
Don't miss the moment to join us in prayer. Please RSVP by clicking here for our FREE VOUSCon Prayer Night
When: Wednesday, June 18th
Time: 7:00PM
Where: Watsco Center
1245 Dauer Dr
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Join us on the road to VOUSCon as we embark on a 40-day relay run through the state of Florida. From Jacksonville to Miami, runners from every region are invited to participate in carrying the good news. Our finish line? VOUSCon 2025. Led by a core VOUS team, we’ll link arms with partner churches along the way, spotlighting the body of Christ and championing the local church through weekly outreach initiatives.
Starting Line: Sunday, May 11
Finish Line: Thursday, June 19
Serve Day is happening Saturday, July 12th, and we want to get ALL of our crews involved in loving our city so please sign your crew up for a Serve Day project! To see the projects and sign up, please click here! Please have your form in by Wednesday, July 2nd.
When: Saturday, July 12th
Where: All VOUS Locations
Time: 10:00 AM
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS DD
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 12:00 PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
